Oxford Revises Process for Electing Poetry Professor

Submitted by Doug Lederman on December 9, 2009 - 3:00am

The University of Oxford has announced new procedures for electing its prized professorship in poetry, The Guardian[1] reported. All 300,000 Oxford graduates are entitled to vote, but until now, they had to show up at a specified time and place to do so, limiting participation. Under the new rules, people will be able to vote in person or online -- and over a longer time period. The shift follows a particularly divisive vote, but observers are split on whether the new process will encourage more civility in the selection process.